Primary care physicians are under-testing for celiac disease in patients with iron deficiency anemia: Results of a national survey

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2017

Publication Title

PLoS One

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common extra-intestinal manifestation of celiac disease (CD). Little is known about the frequency with which primary care physicians (PCPs) test for CD in patients with IDA. We aimed to describe how PCPs approach testing for CD in asymptomatic patients with IDA.

METHODS: We electronically distributed a survey to PCPs who are members of the American College of Physicians. Respondents were asked whether they would test for CD (serologic testing, refer for esophagogastroduodenoscopy [EGD], or refer to GI) in hypothetical patients with new IDA, including: (1) a young Caucasian man, (2) a premenopausal Caucasian woman, (3) an elderly Caucasian man, and (4) a young African American man. These scenarios were chosen to assess for differences in testing for CD based on age, gender, and race. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of testing.

RESULTS: Testing for CD varied significantly according to patient characteristics, with young Caucasian men being the most frequently tested (61% of respondents reporting they would perform serologic testing in this subgroup (p

CONCLUSIONS: PCPs are under-testing for CD in patients with IDA, regardless of age, gender, race, or post-menopausal status. The majority of PCPs surveyed reported they do not strictly adhere to established guidelines regarding a confirmatory duodenal biopsy in a patient with positive serology for CD.

Comments

© authors, Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

Medical Subject Headings

Adult; Aged; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Attitude of Health Personnel; Celiac Disease; Female; Humans; Male; Physicians, Primary Care; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Practice Patterns, Physicians'; Surveys and Questionnaires

PubMed ID

28931034

Volume

12

Issue

9

First Page

0184754

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